Victor Anichebe scored his first goal in just under two years to ensure Everton started 2012 off in the best possible way with late victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns.
The Nigerian striker, who has spent much of the season on the sidelines, came off the bench to snatch the points for David Moyes side taking advantage of a mistake from Paul Scharner to net the winner with just three minutes remaining. Wear eyed supporters fresh from their New Year celebrations were treated to a dour contest that looked like ending goalless before Anichebe popped up late on to make it four games unbeaten for David Moyes’ side and move them up to ninth in the table. West Brom boss Roy Hodgson will be disappointed that his side didn’t register a shot on target and failed to win at home yet again with this defeat their sixth in 10 games at the Hawthorns. The Baggies had held league leaders Manchester City to a goalless draw here on Boxing Day but couldn’t repeat that feat against the Toffee’s who chalked up their fourth victory on the road this season.
Goals have been hard to come by for Everton in the first half of the campaign with supporters seeing their side score just 18 times in 17 games. That set the tone as both sides struggled in front of goal with the Baggies also struggling to find the net this season scoring just seven goals in nine at the Hawthorns. Despite scoring five goals on their travels prior to their draw with City they didn’t even test Tim Howard in the visitors goal as the game looked destined to end goalless. The first half was an extremely poor affair with the first clear cut chance taking 18 minutes to materialise only for Shane Long to head over the bar after connecting with Chris Brunt’s cross. Ben Foster then thwarted Jack Rodwell as the midfielder attempted to follow up on Louis Saha’s botched over head kick. Nicky Shorey then blocked a fierce drive from Leighton Baines who caused mayhem every time he swung a ball into the Albion penalty area.
Rodwell missed a golden opportunity just before the break but could only head Baines’ cross over after finding himself unmarked in 18-yard box. The home side improved after the restart and should have gone ahead after Peter Odemwingie found himself clear through following James Morison’s header but lacked composure in front of goal lifting his effort well over the bar. Albion were then foiled by some superb defending from Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin as they continued to threaten the Toffee’s back four as time ticked towards the games conclusion. The introduction of Anchiebe for his first appearance since September would prove to be the turning point as he scored the winner with just three minutes left on the clock. Tony Hibbert’s cross was headed back into his own six-yard box by Scharner and into the path of the Everton hit man who needed no invitations before lashing the ball past Foster to hand the away side a priceless victory.
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